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CAPS Workshops & Gathering Spaces
CAPS is here to support you every step of the way! Our programming focuses on building resilience, cultivating authentic connection with others, and moving towards collective healing.
Workshops and gathering spaces are not therapy groups and they are not intended as a treatment for mental health concerns. If you are interested in therapy services, please click here to learn about getting started at CAPS.
2023-2024 Programs
APIDA Collective Healing Circles
In celebration of AAPIA Heritage Month, join Dr. Qianhui Zhang (she/her), clinical psychologist from CAPS, and guest facilitators in a series of healing circles to gather and activate our individual and collective healing in community.
Through storytelling, meditation, visualization, and embodiment/somatic exercises, you will be fully seen and heard as you transform your wounds into your gifts. Be prepared to engage in gentle movement, individual reflections, as well as paired or group sharing. Participants can choose how much they want to engage in this space, as long as the safety of the online space is not compromised for the members of the learning community.
This session is best experienced in a quiet and safe physical space. Please wear comfortable clothing and have a glass of water (or tea) and a snack for nourishment—along with a journal, writing utensil, yoga mat, and/or cushion.
NOTE: This series is open to any Northwestern students, who wish to create a deeper connection with themselves and to experience an activation of whole body-mind healing in connection with others and all things. Participants should be affiliated with the APIDA community.
*APIDA stands for Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans.
Time: 6:00PM-7:30PM CST, May 6th, May 9th, May 13th, May 16th
Location: virtual (link will be provided to registered participants the day of the event)
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/ybDT7UqTxy;
For more info about the organizer: https://www.northwestern.edu/counseling/about/meet-the-staff/caps-bio-pages/qianhui-zhang.html;
Children of Immigrants Support Group - Evanston Campus
This community support space is developed with the hope to provide a welcoming atmosphere for Northwestern students, who identify as children of immigrants (COI) to share their experiences and connect around mutual support. In their journeys growing up in the US and navigating their NU lives, children of immigrants navigate unique experiences developing their bicultural identities in their environment, and their experiences are often different from their parents and peers.
This support space is an opportunity for students to explore and process their bicultural identities, connect around shared challenges, celebrate resilience that comes with their experiences, and find a sense of belonging and community with their peers.
Relevant Themes for Discussion:
-Navigating Parent-Child Conflict
-Cultural dissonance/confusion
-Parentification
-Understanding and developing a healthy bicultural identity
-Strengths and resilience associated with navigating two cultures
Time: Every other Thursday, 3:30-4:30pm. First meeting: March 28th, 2024
Meeting dates: March 28th, April 11th, April 25th, May 9th, May 23rd
Location: Searle Hall, 633 Emerson St, Evanston: Room 3.234
To participate in the group and receive updates, please register here: https://forms.office.com/r/dXArsw47UQ
For any questions or inquiries about the program, please contact: Elizabeth Nellamattathil.
Coffee Talk: Connecting and Growing Across Cultures - Evanston Campus
Welcome to Coffee Talk Spring 2024!
All International NU students and scholars from both campuses are welcome to attend! Coffee Talk is a community support space tailored for international students, international scholars, those who have international experiences, and/or those who are interested in international students’ experiences.
Coffee Talk is a welcoming space where attendees can:
- Connect and interact with other international students on-campus over coffee, tea, snacks, and fun games.
- Share and exchange stories around study-aboard experiences.
- Support each other in navigating friendships, cross-cultural adjustment to academics and living in the US, overcome imposter syndrome, homesickness, relationships, career, stress and anxiety, and other relevant topics.
- Grow self-confidence and cultivate a sense of belonging on campus.
- Celebrate the pride and resilience of international students.
- And take a break from studies!
CAPS and OISS will provide tea, coffee, and snacks for all in-person attendees.
Time: Every other Friday, 3:00-4:00PM
Dates: April 5th, April 19th, May 3rd, May 17th, and May 31st.
Location: Each meeting will be hybrid: In-person at OISS OR Zoom
Please scan the following QR code to register for Coffee Talk Meetings updates and reminders:
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/AX2qWZ1HWP
Location: In-person
- Office of International Students & Scholar Services (OISS)
- 630 Dartmouth Place
- Evanston, IL 60208
- Access THIS link for recurring Spring 2024 Coffee Talk Zoom Meetings.
- Please note that attendees need to connect from a private space to protect the confidentiality of this support space. Please try to stay for the full meeting if able to.
Facilitators: Manisha Rustagi, Ph.D., Liaison to International Students, and Jennifer Mazzetti, Psy. D.
For questions and inquiries please contact: Dr. Manisha Rustagi.
Coffee Talk: “Fika Time” for International Students - Chicago Campus
On the Chicago campus, Coffee Talk is also known as “Fika Time," which is a Swedish cultural practice where people take time from their busy day to socialize with others while enjoying coffee, tea and treats. There will be simple snacks to accompany our conversations in the spirit of fika!
Coffee Talk “Fika Time” is a welcoming space where participants can:
- Cultivate a sense of belonging and connection on the Chicago campus;
- Share and connect around the study-abroad experiences and navigating cross-cultural adjustments in academics, career, relationships, etc.
- Gain new understanding and resources for emotional well-being and coping skills;
- Celebrate the pride and resilience of international students;
- And take a break from studying!
Time: Every first Friday of the Month, 3:00-4:00PM (please arrive on time)
Dates: February 2nd , March 1st, April 5th, and May 3rd 2024
Location: Abbott Hall Room 332 TGS Conference Room
To help us plan for the event, to receive reminders and updates about Coffee Talk “Fika Time” for International Students, please RSVP here.
Facilitators: Angel Cheng, PhD and Chicago CAPS staff members
For any questions or inquiry, please contact Dr. Angel Cheng.
Guided Journaling Group - Pritzker School of Law
Are you creative, expressive, thoughtful, or interested in journaling? If so, you're invited to attend the Guided Journaling Group hosted by Ida (CAPS). GJG aims to be an inviting and welcoming space where you'll be guided with journaling prompts during the first half hour, complimented by tea/coffee and lofi in cozy Lowden Hall. During the second half, you'll be invited to share journal excerpts and authentic, positive dialogue.
Date: Monday, May 6th
Time: 4:00PM
Location: Lowden Hall, Pritzker School of Law. 357 E Chicago Ave
To register, please sign up using this link.
If you have any questions, please email Ida Samuel-Clay.
LGBTQIA+ Support Group - Evanston Campus
A supportive space designed for LGBTQIA+ students to discuss their experiences of being a queer student at Northwestern. If you plan to attend, please register using the QR code in the image above!
Dates and Times: Every Thursday from January 18th - June 6th from 2:00PM-3:30PM.
Location: Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) Room #5120 (GSRC Board Room)
Facilitated by Devon Migues and Brian Griffith. Please contact Devon Migues with any questions.
SANA SANA Gathering Place - Evanston Campus
Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) presents, SANA SANA, a monthly gathering space and series centering Latina/e/x/o-identifying students to make, feel, and just be with one another. SANA SANA is a healing phrase used when remedying pain or a wound that honors connection across geographies and generations. SANA SANA will include conversation, creative workshops, and space for rest, joy, and sustenance in relation and support with one another. In facilitating and co-creating this space with students, we hope to support community building, themes related to wellness, intersectional identities, and lived experiences. Food will be provided. Both graduate and undergraduate students are welcome.
Please RSVP so we can have an accurate headcount for food and the space: https://forms.dosa.northwestern.edu/view.php?id=2046282
Meeting Location: Women’s Center-Community Room at 2000 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201
Meeting dates: We will meet the last Friday of every month from 11:30AM-1:00PM. Come join us on the following dates:
- January 27th
- February 24th
- March 31st
- April 28th
- May 26th
For any questions about the program, please contact Laura Sevilla. Gracias!
What's Poppin'? - Evanston Campus
"What's Poppin'?" is a bi-weekly gathering space to support Black and African American students. Led by CAPS' Mikayla Wynter and MSA's Sasha McKnight, "What's Poppin?" dives into chosen topics within the Black/African diaspora. Mikayla and Sasha cultivate this space for students to enjoy popcorn and other snacks and hands-on activities while engaging in meaningful discussions. Students who want to join can show up at the Black House at the appointed time. Come as you are!
Dates: April 11th, April 18th, May 2nd, May 16th, May 30th.
Times: 3:30PM-5:00PM
Location: The Black House, 1914 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208.
Please email Mikayla Wynter, LCPC, with any questions!